When 21 year old Matt Heisler died in an unexpected house fire, his family was in shock and disbelief at the loss of a son and brother.
“From a little boy, he always had a huge heart,” Matt’s mother told CNN reporters.
For this reason, when he was just 16 years old, Matt became an organ donor in Lakeville, Minnesota.
For Tom Meeks, Matt’s compassion allowed him to have a second chance at life.
A Vietnam war Veteran, Tom had an incredibly rare heart disorder, and his only way of staying alive would have been a heart replacement surgery.
“[Matt’s] heart is still out there somewhere, and I am just excited to feel it beat again,” said Matt’s sister Casey Heisler.
Despite being devastated by the untimely loss of their loved one, the Heisler family was happy that Matt’s heart was still out there helping keep somebody else alive.
Waiting almost a year before meeting with Tom, the Heisler family was finally ready to feel Matt’s heart beating within another person.
“I woke up this morning and told Matt mom and dad are coming home today,” Tom told CNN reporters explaining the anticipation leading up to the meet with the Heislers.
This incredibly touching moment between these strangers was an incredible look into the power something like a heart transplant can have for both the party giving the organ and the party receiving it.
Exchanging hugs with the whole family before unbuttoning his shirt for the stethoscope, Tom was ready for the Heisler family to hear how their son’s sacrifice was helping keep him alive.
As the family took turns listening to Matt’s heart beat within Tom’s chest, there was not a dry eye in the room.
The incredibly emotional nature of this meeting between complete strangers displayed the powerful impact a person can have on the world even after their death.
Matt’s organ donor status went on to help 60 people, and as his heart now beat’s in Tom’s chest, Matt will always be loved and remembered as the generous man he was.
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